"Uh…" Sakura's smile froze the moment Kakashi spoke. She stared down at the bell in her hand, then at Sasuke.His expression said everything: he didn't care about it at all.
Sakura wasn't the strongest among the three—far from it—but her book smarts had always been top-tier. After Naruto's subtle hint earlier, she pieced it together fast. The bell wasn't the goal. The real test was something else entirely.
Sasuke, meanwhile, gave the bell a passing glance and scoffed. "Tch. Pointless." His eyes flicked toward Kakashi, irritation flashing for just a second before he looked away.
Naruto grinned. "Kakashi-sensei, I think we've all figured it out now. This test wasn't about the bell at all—it's about teamwork. Right, guys?"He could've told them earlier, sure, but that would've cheapened it. Letting his teammates realize it themselves—that was the true lesson. Trusting each other, even when they didn't have to. That's what a team meant.
Kakashi tilted his head, eye narrowing thoughtfully behind the mask. "Oh? Go on."
Sasuke crossed his arms, tone dripping with disdain. "It's not rocket science. Three Genin against one Jōnin? The point wasn't to win—it was to cooperate." He shot Sakura a brief look. "Try thinking before charging next time."
Naruto smirked, but his mind drifted for a second.In the "hot-blooded world" of shinobi, it was always the stoic ones who stole the spotlight. Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke, even Kakashi—all cool, brooding, and mysterious. Meanwhile, guys like him, loud and hopeful, got laughed off as idiots. The only "sunny" ninja who ever beat them was Namikaze Minato—and he was literally too dead (and married) to enjoy it.
Yeah. Life wasn't fair.
"That's right," Sakura chimed in, her voice trembling slightly as she nodded. "Kakashi-sensei wanted to test our teamwork! Once I worked with Sasuke-kun, I realized it!" Her gaze lingered way too long on Sasuke, completely ignoring Naruto in the process.
Naruto sighed inwardly. Typical.
"So," he said with a lazy grin, "it doesn't matter who snatches the bell. What matters is that we worked together, right, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi's eye curved upward in amusement. "That's correct. You all did well… but—"His voice darkened mid-sentence, the air suddenly heavy with killing intent. Even his presence felt sharper, like a blade drawn just a little too close to the throat.
Sakura froze. "W-wait, what's with that tone...?"
Naruto groaned. "Here we go again…"Six years of reading this man's moods told him exactly what was coming.
Then, without warning, Kakashi's face softened into a grin. "Congratulations. You're officially qualified ninja."
The change was so instant it could've given anyone whiplash.Naruto muttered, "His face-switching speed could rival a Sharingan."
Sakura's response was less graceful. "What the hell, Kakashi-sensei?! You scared me half to death!" She lunged dramatically toward Sasuke, as if she were fainting into his arms.
Sasuke side-stepped her without even blinking. "Annoying." Whether he meant her or Kakashi was unclear.
Naruto just… didn't bother reacting. His tolerance for chaos had long hit the red line.
Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Alright, Team Seven. You passed. Honestly, I didn't expect you to get it so soon, but this is a pleasant surprise." His tone softened slightly. "Still, before we end, there's something important I want you to remember."
Sakura straightened, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "What is it, Kakashi-sensei?"Even Sasuke and Naruto quieted down, sensing the rare seriousness in his voice.
"It's something I've learned the hard way," Kakashi said slowly. "A rule worth living by."He looked at the three of them—each carrying their own shadows—and his tone deepened.
"Ninjas must remain calm and think carefully. Those who break the rules are trash…""But those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash."
The words hung heavy in the air, sinking deep into the hearts of all three Genin. Even Naruto—who already knew the quote by heart—felt a chill crawl up his spine. There was sorrow hidden in that voice. A memory Kakashi still carried.
Naruto nodded solemnly. "Understood, Kakashi-sensei."This wasn't just respect—it was empathy for the weight behind those words.
Sakura and Sasuke followed suit. "Yes, Kakashi-sensei."
"Good." Kakashi's eye curved into a faint smile. "Remember that. You'll understand what it means someday."He lifted his head, sunlight catching the edge of his hitai-ate.
"From this day forward—Team Seven is officially formed."
Sakura squealed, nearly jumping with joy. "We did it!"Even Sasuke and Naruto couldn't help but grin, their rivalry momentarily forgotten.
For the first time, Team Seven stood together—not as students and teacher, but as comrades.